Means for cutting rock

ABSTRACT

A rock cutter formed of a stack of juxtapositioned cutter discs, said discs each having projecting carbide bits and being mounted on a rotatable shaft for rotation therewith. All bits have a common mounting plane, but extend therefrom in a graduated progression- from disc to disc. Also, each disc has its own distinct proportions, being of only a graduated different size compared to a disc to either side thereof.

United States Patent (72] Inventor Carl R. Peterson 4/1919 Layne 175/354 X Princeton,N.,]. 1,820,379 8/1931 Dallerup 175/364 [21] Appl. No. 794,022 1,847,981 3/1932 Reed l75/354X {22] Filed Jan. 27,1969 2,854,218 9/1958 Hedrick i. 175/413 [45] Patented July 20, 1971 3,306,381 2/1967 Garrett et al. 175/346 [73] Asslgnec gz z z Company Primary Examiner-Ernest R. Purser 1 I a as Assistant ExaminerRichard Er Favreau Attorneys-Carl R. Horten, David W. Tibbott and Bernard J. [54] MEANS FOR CUTTING ROCK p y 14 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

52 115.0 .I 175/354, M 5/ 5/ ABSTRACT: A rock cutter formed of a stack of juxtaposi [51] Int. Cl E2111 9/10 i d cutter di id discs each having projecting carbide (50] Field of Search 175/354, bits and being mounted on a rotatable h f for rotation 352. 345, 373, 299/86 therewith. All bits have a common mounting plane, but extend therefrom in a graduatedprogression-from disc to disc. Also, [56] References cued each disc has its own distinct proportions, being of only a UMTED STATES TE graduated different size compared to a disc to either side 223,230 1/1880 Jenkins 175/352 thereof.

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4 l2 L3 f v Q\ t \X j c I2e I2 I8 I20 2b 1 0 PATENTEUJULZOISYI 3,593,812

INVIZN'I'UR,

CARL R. PETERSON A'GENT' MEANS FOR CUTTING ROCK This invention pertains to means for cutting rock and like firm material and in particular to rock-cutting means of the rotatable roller type having cutting bits projecting therefrom.

In the prior art, rock-cutting means, and especially those of the roller type, have bits and/or bit supporting members which are commonly of unique configuration, said bitsor members having specified and unalterable position locations determined by the configuration of each. That is to say that, in the prior art, known rock-cutting means have components, which arbitrarily I will call parts a, b, c, etc., specifically positionally arranged for cooperation in an assembly which defines an overall rock-cutting implement. When the implement has become worn it has been necessary heretofore to replace the entire implement, or to replace all or some of the worn components, said parts a through etc. Accordingly, each one of the unique components, parts a through etc., need to be provisioned and stocked to insure the maintenance of the apparatus. This stocking of all unique components forthe rockcutting means requires the availability of stock space, the accommodation for the considerable weight of the stock of the several components, discrimination as between. the different parts, by tags or whatever, and identification of each part's specific position in an assembled unit to insure the correet'arrangement and alignment of each component relative to the other when rebuild maintenance is performed.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to teach an improved rock-cutting means which avoids these limitations which obtain in the prior art.

It is an object of this invention to provide a rock-cutting therebetween significantly only in size, and in which only one of said components needs to be stock provisioned, to rebuild and maintain the overall cutting means, regardless of the attrition wear of all of the components. A feature of this invention comprises the stacking of a plurality of cutting bit supporting members of progressively varied size, on a rotatable shaft in side-by-side relationship.

Further objects and features of this invention will become more apparent by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view, in cross section, taken along the rotational axis of the cutting means, the figure further showing the bearing mounting at either ends of the axial shaft;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view, in cross section, of an alternate embodiment of the cutting means, according to my invention, less the bearing mounting features; and

FIG. 3 is an end, elevational view of one' ofthe novel bit mounting discs, taken along section 3-3 of FIG. l.

As shown in FIG. I the rock-cutting means lof my invention comprises a plurality of discs 12 and 12a through 12g, of

graduatedly varied size, arranged in juxtaposition on a shaft.

14. Each of the discs support carbide insert bits 16 and 16a through 16g for extension therefrom. Shaft l4is supported in a frame 18, which frame may be that of a mining machine or the like, in bearings 20 at either ends thereof. Bearings 20 are carried in bearing cages 22 and 24 at opposite ends of the shaft 14; thus shaft 14 is supported for rotation.

It is to be noted that bits 16 and 16a through 163 are mounted in common on a mounting plane 26, while each thereof projects extendably from the discs in which they are carried. Accordingly, the bits of each disc are of differing lengths. Also, the discs-discs 12f and 12g for instancehave interfacing surfaces; first surface 28 of disc [2g dimensionally exactly corresponds with second surface 30 of disc 12f. So also each successive disc has-a diameter which finds correspondence with the surface of a disc interfacing therewith. Therefore, it is to be seen that the variation in disc sizes is of uniform gradation.

Each of the discs has a shaft-mounting hole 32 which receives the shaft 14, and shaft 14 has a keyway 34 which receives key 36. Key 36 is further received in keyway slots 38 formed in each of the discs. I This keying arrangement, of course, insures the rotation of the discs together with shaft 14.

Each disc 12, and through 12 has a rim 40 on the periphery thereof which is linearly contiguous with disc rims 40 to either side thereof. This linear conitiguity of the rims 40 defines a cutting plane 42 which lies: oblique relative to mounting plane 26.

The teaching of my invention comprises the use of large outboard bearings 20. Prior art cutting means, such as roller-type cutters, customarily employ inner" bearings. Thus one or more bearings of somewhat diminutive size, carry cutter elements on a fixed shaft. These configurations manifest a high bearing mortality, and a bearing mortality which more often precedes the mortality of the cutter components. My teaching, then, sets forth the use of larger, hence sturdier and greater lived bearings 20 about the outer (i.e., outboard" ofthe discs) ends of shaft 14.

While enhancing the life of the bearings 20, my invention further, perhaps more significantly, and as a consequence of and a corollary to extended bearing life, teaches a simplified maintenance of the discs 12, and 12a through 12g, and cutting bits 16 and 16a through 16g. I

Discv 12 is, clearly, but of smaller net diameter than disc 12a, and disc' 12a is only smaller than disc l2band so on. Therefore, when the cutting means I0 has been used to a degree that each of the discs 12a through 12 has been reduced to the original (unused) size of the smaller disc immediately adjacent thereto, only one disc needs to have a replacement: disc 12g. To rebuild the cutting means 10 to original configuration, worn disc 12 is removed, all graduate dly larger discs 12a through 12g therebehind are moved to take up the space formerly occupied by disc 12, and a new, unused disc-of a size corresponding to that of original, unused disc 12gis positioned whereat disc 12g had been. The only parts supply which is required is that of discs of the size of an original, unused disc 12g.

Carbide inserts l6 and 1611 through 16g, in being borne on a common mounting plane, provide for the use of an original disc 12g in all smaller diameter disc locations. Only when an original disc 12g has been worn smaller than a usable diameter of a disc l2-having been successively moved through the various disc positionings until it finally is located in a disc 12 position-only then need it be discarded. The depth of inserts 163 in disc 12g accommodates for this.

In FIG. 2 which shows an alternate embodiment of my invention, index numbers which are the same as or similar to those of FIG. ldenote same or similar components. In this embodiment, the discs 44 and 440 through 440 have relieved surfaces, such as surfaces 48 and 50 and 52 and 54, respectively, of discs 44c and 44b, which space between the discs and provide for the cutting of kerfs upon rotation of the shaft and discs. Here too, however, it is only a supply of the largest of the discs which needs to be provisioned to maintain the bits and discs withwear thereof.

FIG. 3, in an end elevation view, shows disc 12a of FIG. 1. In this illustration it can be seen that the carbide insert bits 16a are carried radially and projectingly from the rim 40 of the disc. Also, this view shows the'mounting plane 26 to be of circular form.

An embodiment of my invention in which the mounting plane of .the carbide insert bits is uniplanar can most readily be configured. This will be clearly appreciated by those skilled in this art. In such an embodiment substantially quadrangular bit-supporting elements, of progressively greater longitudinal dimensions, would be arranged side by side. The upstanding, contiguous rims thereof would be of angular form, defining a same oblique cutting plane into which the bit projections would intrude. Finally, the side by side stacked elements would be rigidly supported-perhaps in a rotatable frame, and extendibly therefrom for addressing the rock.

Other embodiments, as well, will occur to those skilled in this art, and all such embodiments will be teachings of my invention. Accordingly, while I have described my invention in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it is to be clearly understood that this is done only by way of example and not as a limitation to the scope of my invention as set forth in the objects thereof and in the accompanying claims.

lclaim: 1. Means for cutting rock and like firm material, comprising:

a plurality of bits; means disposing said bits in juxtaposition on a common mounting plane and in progressively graduated extension from said plane; said means comprising bit-supporting members each having unique overall proportions, including a plurality of dimensions common to at least another member thereof, said proportions and dimensions being determinants of a given positioning of said member, relative to each other, which establishes said bits graduated extension; wherein said bit-supporting members comprise circular discs having both disparate and like radial dimensions; said discs each have lateral faces to either sides thereof, a peripheral rim, and a mounting hole formed through the center thereof which opens at either ends in the centers of said faces; and wherein said bits extend from the rim of the discs which support them, and are spaced from the lateral faces in that they are supported, within their respective discs, between and given distances from both faces. 2. The invention, according to claim I, wherein: said plane defines a circle. 3. The invention, according to claim 1, wherein: said discs have first and second outside diameters, one of said outside diameters of each disc corresponding to one outside diameter of at least another of said discs. 4. The invention, according to claim 1, wherein: said discs mount a plurality of said bits in a radiating pattern,

5. The invention, according to claim 1 wherein said bits of any one of said discs are of a different length than bits of any other of said discs.

6. The invention, according to claim I, wherein:

said bits comprise carbide inserts.

7. The invention, according to claim I, wherein:

said bit-supporting discs have relieved surfaces;

and

said bits and said surfaces are cooperative to effect cutting of kerfs.

8. The invention, according to claim I, wherein:

said rims are spaced therebetween.

9. The invention, according to claim 8, wherein:

said faces each have relieved surfaces.

10. The invention, according to claim 1,

further comprising a shaft in penetration of said discs, said shaft carrying said discs thereon injuxtaposition; and

means coupled to said shaft accommodating for the rotation of said shaft.

1]. The invention, according to claim 10, wherein:

said discs are fixed tosaid shaft for rotation therewith.

12. The invention, according to claim 10, further comprising:

bearing cages disposed at either ends of said shaft;

and wherein said rotation accommodation means comprise bearings interposed between said shaft ends and said cages.

13. The invention, according to claim 1, wherein:

said rims of said discs together are linearly contiguous and define a cutting plane which lies oblique to said mounting plane.

14. The invention, according to claim 13, wherein:

said faces are uniplanar. 

1. Means for cutting rock and like firm material, comprising: a plurality of bits; means disposing said bits in juxtaposition on a common mounting plane and in progressively graduated extension from said plane; said means comprising bit-supporting members each having unique overall proportions, including a plurality of dimensions common to at least another member thereof, said proportions and dimensions being determinants of a given positioning of said member, relative to each other, which establishes said bits'' graduated extension; wherein said bit-supporting members comprise circular discs having both disparate and like radial dimensions; said discs each have lateral faces to either sides thereof, a peripheral rim, and a mounting hole formed through the center thereof which opens at either ends in the centers of said faces; and wherein said bits extend from the rim of the discs which support them, and are spaced from the lateral faces in that they are supported, within their respective discs, between and given distances from both faces.
 2. The invention, according to claim 1, wherein: said plane defines a circle.
 3. The invention, according to claim 1, wherein: said discs have first and second outside diameters, one of said outside diameters of each disc corresponding to one outside diameter of at least another of said discs.
 4. The invention, according to claim 1, wherein: said discs mount a plurality of said bits in a radiating pattern.
 5. The invention, according to claim 1 wherein said bits of any one of said discs are of a different length than bits of any other of said discs.
 6. The invention, according to claim 1, wherein: said bits comprise carbide inserts.
 7. The invention, according to claim 1, wherein: said bit-supporting discs have relieved surfaces; and said bits and said surfaces are cooperative to effect cutting of kerfs.
 8. The invention, according to claim 1, wherein: said rims are spaced therebetween.
 9. The invention, according to claim 8, wherein: said faces each have relieved surfaces.
 10. The invention, according to claim 1, further comprising a shaft in penetration of said discs, said shaft carrying said discs thereon in juxtaposition; and means coupled to said shaft accommodating for the rotation of said shaft.
 11. The invention, according to claim 10, wherein: said discs are fixed to said shaft for rotation therewith.
 12. The invention, according to claim 10, further comprising: bearing cages disposed at either ends of said shaft; and wherein said rotation accommodation means comprise bearings interposed between said shaft ends and said cages.
 13. The invention, according to claim 1, wherein: said rims of said discs together are linearly contiguous and define a cutting plane which lies oblique to said mounting plane.
 14. The invention, according to claim 13, wherein: said faces are uniplanar. 